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The Mysteries of Shakespeare: His Name, Lost Years, and Early Life

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The Mysteries of Shakespeare: His Name, Lost Years, and Early Life
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✨Zara✨

@zara_miah19

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William Shakespeare was a renowned English playwright, poet, and actor whose works continue to be celebrated worldwide. His diverse plays, including tragedies, comedies, and histories, have inspired countless adaptations and performances. Shakespeare's family and early life in Stratford laid the foundation for his literary career, while his time in London saw the creation of his most famous works.

Key points:

  • Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon
  • Married Anne Hathaway at 18 and had three children
  • Wrote 37 plays and over 150 poems
  • His works are still studied and performed globally
  • Died in 1616 at the age of 52

12/10/2022

255

Did
know?
William Shakespeare used different.
spellings for his name. He signed
himself Shakespe, Shakspe Shanspere
and Shakespear.
→ Shakes

View

Shakespeare's Childhood and Family

Shakespeare's family and early life in Stratford played a crucial role in shaping his future as a literary genius. Born in 1564 to a wealthy family in Stratford-upon-Avon, young Shakespeare received a comprehensive education at the local grammar school. Here, he learned to read and write in Latin and Ancient Greek, as well as English.

Example: Shakespeare's early exposure to theatre came through travelling acting companies that visited Stratford-upon-Avon.

At the age of 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, the daughter of a local farmer. The couple had three children: Susanna, born in 1583, and twins Hamnet and Judith, born in 1585.

Shakespeare's work encompassed various genres, including comedies, tragedies, and histories. Some plays, known as "problem plays," defy easy categorization.

Definition: Problem plays - Shakespearean works that are difficult to classify into a single genre due to their complex themes and tones.

Examples of Shakespeare's diverse works include:

  • Romeo and Juliet (tragedy)
  • Richard III (history)
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream (comedy)
  • The Merchant of Venice (problem play)

In addition to his plays, Shakespeare was also a prolific poet, writing three long narrative poems and 154 sonnets. His most famous sonnet is Sonnet 18, which begins with the line "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"

Quote: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" - Opening line of Shakespeare's Sonnet 18

Shakespeare often drew inspiration from existing stories, adapting them into his own unique versions. For instance, the plots of Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet were based on popular Italian stories that had been translated into French and then English.

After retiring around 1611, Shakespeare returned to Stratford-upon-Avon. He died in 1616 at the age of 52 and was buried at Holy Trinity Church in his hometown. His legacy lives on through his 37 plays and over 150 poems, which continue to be studied and performed worldwide.

Did
know?
William Shakespeare used different.
spellings for his name. He signed
himself Shakespe, Shakspe Shanspere
and Shakespear.
→ Shakes

View

Shakespeare's Life and Works

William Shakespeare, born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, was an English playwright, poet, and actor whose works continue to captivate audiences worldwide. His diverse range of plays, including tragedies, comedies, and histories, have left an indelible mark on literature and theatre.

Highlight: William Shakespeare's different name spellings included Shakespe, Shakspe, Shanspere, and Shakespear.

Shakespeare spent most of his professional life with the Lord Chamberlain's Men, an acting company in London. In 1599, this company built the Globe Theatre, which became closely associated with Shakespeare's works.

Example: Some of Shakespeare's most famous plays include Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and The Tempest.

Shakespeare's personal life remains largely a mystery, with most information derived from legal documents and business paperwork. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582, and they had three children.

Highlight: The period from 1585 to 1592 is known as Shakespeare's lost years 1585-1592, as little is known about his activities during this time.

Shakespeare's timeline includes significant events such as the first performances of Romeo and Juliet in 1594 and Macbeth in 1606. He died on April 23, 1616, and the First Folio, a collection of his plays, was published posthumously in 1623.

Vocabulary: First Folio - The first published collection of Shakespeare's plays, compiled by his friends after his death.

Interestingly, no proven portrait of Shakespeare exists from his lifetime. The only confirmed portrait was produced after his death, adding to the mystery surrounding his appearance.

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The Mysteries of Shakespeare: His Name, Lost Years, and Early Life

user profile picture

✨Zara✨

@zara_miah19

·

284 Followers

Follow

William Shakespeare was a renowned English playwright, poet, and actor whose works continue to be celebrated worldwide. His diverse plays, including tragedies, comedies, and histories, have inspired countless adaptations and performances. Shakespeare's family and early life in Stratford laid the foundation for his literary career, while his time in London saw the creation of his most famous works.

Key points:

  • Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon
  • Married Anne Hathaway at 18 and had three children
  • Wrote 37 plays and over 150 poems
  • His works are still studied and performed globally
  • Died in 1616 at the age of 52

12/10/2022

255

 

10/9

 

English

9

Did
know?
William Shakespeare used different.
spellings for his name. He signed
himself Shakespe, Shakspe Shanspere
and Shakespear.
→ Shakes

Sign up to see the content. It's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Shakespeare's Childhood and Family

Shakespeare's family and early life in Stratford played a crucial role in shaping his future as a literary genius. Born in 1564 to a wealthy family in Stratford-upon-Avon, young Shakespeare received a comprehensive education at the local grammar school. Here, he learned to read and write in Latin and Ancient Greek, as well as English.

Example: Shakespeare's early exposure to theatre came through travelling acting companies that visited Stratford-upon-Avon.

At the age of 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, the daughter of a local farmer. The couple had three children: Susanna, born in 1583, and twins Hamnet and Judith, born in 1585.

Shakespeare's work encompassed various genres, including comedies, tragedies, and histories. Some plays, known as "problem plays," defy easy categorization.

Definition: Problem plays - Shakespearean works that are difficult to classify into a single genre due to their complex themes and tones.

Examples of Shakespeare's diverse works include:

  • Romeo and Juliet (tragedy)
  • Richard III (history)
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream (comedy)
  • The Merchant of Venice (problem play)

In addition to his plays, Shakespeare was also a prolific poet, writing three long narrative poems and 154 sonnets. His most famous sonnet is Sonnet 18, which begins with the line "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"

Quote: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" - Opening line of Shakespeare's Sonnet 18

Shakespeare often drew inspiration from existing stories, adapting them into his own unique versions. For instance, the plots of Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet were based on popular Italian stories that had been translated into French and then English.

After retiring around 1611, Shakespeare returned to Stratford-upon-Avon. He died in 1616 at the age of 52 and was buried at Holy Trinity Church in his hometown. His legacy lives on through his 37 plays and over 150 poems, which continue to be studied and performed worldwide.

Did
know?
William Shakespeare used different.
spellings for his name. He signed
himself Shakespe, Shakspe Shanspere
and Shakespear.
→ Shakes

Sign up to see the content. It's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Shakespeare's Life and Works

William Shakespeare, born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, was an English playwright, poet, and actor whose works continue to captivate audiences worldwide. His diverse range of plays, including tragedies, comedies, and histories, have left an indelible mark on literature and theatre.

Highlight: William Shakespeare's different name spellings included Shakespe, Shakspe, Shanspere, and Shakespear.

Shakespeare spent most of his professional life with the Lord Chamberlain's Men, an acting company in London. In 1599, this company built the Globe Theatre, which became closely associated with Shakespeare's works.

Example: Some of Shakespeare's most famous plays include Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and The Tempest.

Shakespeare's personal life remains largely a mystery, with most information derived from legal documents and business paperwork. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582, and they had three children.

Highlight: The period from 1585 to 1592 is known as Shakespeare's lost years 1585-1592, as little is known about his activities during this time.

Shakespeare's timeline includes significant events such as the first performances of Romeo and Juliet in 1594 and Macbeth in 1606. He died on April 23, 1616, and the First Folio, a collection of his plays, was published posthumously in 1623.

Vocabulary: First Folio - The first published collection of Shakespeare's plays, compiled by his friends after his death.

Interestingly, no proven portrait of Shakespeare exists from his lifetime. The only confirmed portrait was produced after his death, adding to the mystery surrounding his appearance.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

13 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 12 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.